This study investigated the effects of the Japanese Early Promotion Program (JEPP), which is based on the Infant Mental Health (IMH) program. The JEPP aims to promote mother-infant interactions by enhancing the mother’s ability to respond appropriately her child. Mothers in the JEPP group (n = 15) received support from IMH nurses in a pediatric clinic until their infants reached 12 months of age. The nurses provided positive feedback that emphasized strength of parenting, and assisted the mothers in understanding the construct of their infants. Mother-infant interactions and mother’s mental health status were assessed at intake (1–3 months), and at 6, 9, and 12 months of infants’ age. The JEPP group data were compared with cross-sectional data of the control group (n = 120). Although JEPP dyads were not found to be significantly different from the control group in general dyadic synchrony, both before and after intervention, JEPP mothers significantly improved their ability to understand their infant’s cues and to respond promptly. In the JEPP group, unresponsiveness to infants was reduced in mothers, while infants showed reduced passiveness and enhanced responsiveness to the mother. Furthermore, the intervention reduced the mothers’ parenting stress and negative emotions, thereby enhancing their self-esteem.

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This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of the Japanese version of the Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (J-ITSEA), a parentreport questionnaire concerning social-emotional/behavioral problems and delays in competence in 1- to 3-year-old children. The differences in score between genders, ages, and between the J-ITSEA and the original Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment were examined. The data of 617 participants recruited from Saitama prefecture through stratified two-stage sampling were analyzed. The Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.76 to 0.93. Gender differences emerged for some problems and all competence scales, with boys rated higher in the Externalizing problem domain and Activity/Impulsivity subscale and girls rated higher in the Internalizing problem domain, Inhibition to Novelty subscale, and all Competence scales. The Competence domain score increased across age groups. Compared with a normative sample in the US, participants in this study rated higher in Aggression/Defiance and Separation Distress, and rated lower in Peer Aggression and most of the Competence scales. The results indicate that the J-ITSEA scores should be interpreted in comparison with standard scores assigned for gender and 6-month age groups, and that specific criteria for the cut-off points for the J-ITSEA are required instead of those in the original questionnaire.

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This study aimed to clarify the relationships among developmental characteristics of retinoblastoma (RB) infants, mother-infant interaction, and mental health of mothers. Prospective studies were conducted twice with 13 dyads of mothers and infants who were between one (Time 1) and two years old (Time 2). Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed. The mean Developmental Quotients (DQ) significantly decreased between Time 1 and Time 2 (p < .05). Four (30.8%) infants showed DQ p < 85 at Time 1. They showed a DQ below the borderline at Time 2 and their developmental changes were different from RB infants in the normal DQ range. Infant Behavior Checklist-R (IBC-R) scores negatively correlated with DQ (p < .05). The mothers’ Japanese Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scale (JNCATS) scores were significantly higher than the normative mean. The IBC-R scores negatively correlated with mothers’ JNCATS scores at Time 1 (ρ = -.66, p < .05) and positively correlated with the child domain scores on the Parenting Stress Index at Time 2 (ρ = .62, p < .05). Some RB infants showed a developmental delay. Mother-child interactions were negatively affected and mothers recognized their infants’ problem. The support needs to be provided in early infancy.

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